Ricky Norwood's Ali G impersonations

Ricky Norwood thinks 'EastEnders' bosses make his alter-ego sound like Ali G.

The 22-year-old actor - who plays Arthur 'Fatboy' Chubb in the BBC One soap - explained he has to teach writers street slang because they give him scripts that make his character sound "Jamaican, American - and then like Ali G".

He said: "At first it was difficult for the writers to write for Fatboy. I once got a script where he sounded Jamaican, American - and then like Ali G!

"So sometimes I'll sneak in a few lines to make it sound a bit more street and current. They're educating me on how to be a fast-paced actor, but at the same time I'm teaching them some real street slang as well."

Ricky also admitted he initially asked 'EastEnders' bosses to change his 'Fatboy' nickname, but it stuck with the show's fans before he got a chance to get rid of it.

He added: "One of the writers from online spin-off show 'E20' must have come up with it. At first I didn't mind at all - I was just so thankful they were offering me the job. But about two days into it, I started thinking to myself, 'This is what people are going to call me in the street!'

"I asked them if we could change it, but by then it had already stuck. So I thought, 'No worries, let's roll with it'."